Type 2 diabetes: Five of the worst foods to eat that will raise blood sugar levels

Type 2 diabetes is a condition that affects the body’s response to insulin. Insulin is a hormone that regulates the amount of sugar in the blood. The body may not produce enough insulin and this causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high. If type 2 diabetes is left untreated or if it is poorly managed, severe health complications may ensue, including kidney failure, nerve damage, heart disease and stroke. Eating a healthy diet is one way to manage blood sugar levels. Eating a healthy balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables and getting enough exercise will ensure blood sugar levels remain stable. When it comes to foods to avoid, what are five of the worst?

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease that has reached epidemic proportions amongst adults and children worldwide.

Eating the wrong kinds of foods can raise a person’s blood sugar and insulin levels and promote inflammation, which may increase a person’s risk of the developing the disease.

Worst foods for type 2 diabetics:

Trans fat

Trans fat are found in margarines, creamers, frozen dinners, and spreads.

They are created by adding hydrogen to unsaturated fatty acids in order to make them more stable.

White bread is high in carbohydrates and is a processed food. Eating bread and other refined-flour foods has been shown to significantly increase blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

White bread contains little fibre which helps slow down the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream.

Sugar-sweetened beverages

Sugary beverages are the worst drink choice for someone with type 2 diabetes. Sugary beverages are very high in carbs, with a total of 38 grams per can.

In addition, they are loaded with fructose, which is strongly linked to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

Fruit juice

Although fruit juice is often considered a healthy beverage, its effect on blood sugar are actually similar to those of sodas and other sugary drinks.

In some cases, fruit juice is even higher in sugar and carbs than soda. Like sugar-sweetened beverages, fruit juice is loaded with fructose, the type of sugar that drives insulin resistance, obesity and heart disease.

If you find it hard to change your diet, a dietician might be able to help

NHS

For those with type 2 diabetes, knowing what foods to avoid can sometimes seem difficult, however, it is crucial to know how much sugar and carbs each food contains.

The main goals should include staying away from unhealthy fats, liquid sugars, processed grains and other foods that contain refined carbs.

The NHS said: “If you find it hard to change your diet, a dietician might be able to help.

“Talk to your GP or diabetes nurse to see if the cost could be covered through the NHS.

“You should go for a regular diabetes check-up once a year to make sure your blood pressure and cholesterol are OK.”